Registration Desk Open - 6th floor foyer

Sixth Floor | Lobby Area

Presidents Reception and Leadership Graduation -

Room 406

(by invitation only)

Registration Desk Open - 6th floor foyer

Sixth Floor | Lobby Area

Information Desk Open - 1st floor lobby

First Floor | Lobby Area

Trade Show / Exhibit Hall Open - Room 410

Sixth Floor

Gala Opening General Session & Awards - Govern. Ballroom

Sixth Floor

Keynote Address:  Dr. Rick Rigsby

Governor's Ballroom|Sixth Floor

The animated, energetic and riveting Dr. Rigsby will inspire us with his message of living with integrity and hope for ourselves and others.  Formerly a faculty member in the Department of Communications at Texas A&M University, Mr. Rigsby is bringing his inspirational messaging to conferences all over North America.

Speaker: Rick Rigsby

Greetings From NACo

Governor's Ballroom|Sixth Floor

Speaker: Eric Coleman

Awards for City/County Collaboration

Governor's Ballroom|Sixth Floor

Titus County, Williamson County

Update on Property Tax Reform

Governor's Ballroom|Sixth Floor

The chair of the House Local Government Ways and Means Committee will discuss actions taken during the 80th Leg. Session and give his thoughts on future property tax reform, including appraisal and revenue cap initiatives

Speaker: Rep. Fred Hill

Legislative Awards

Sam Seale Trailblazer Award

Mini General Sessions:

An Overview on the 80th Legislative Session from Legislators Perspective

Governor's Ballroom|Sixth Floor

An insightful overview of the bills and politics from the 80th Legislative Session from State Legislators.

Speakers:  Rep. David Farabee, Rep. Joe Heflin, Sen. Royce West

Legislative Review: Major Actions from the 80th Texas Legislative Session affecting county government

Governor's Ballroom|Sixth Floor

TAC legislative Staff reviews changes that everyone in county government needs to know.  They will include initiatives that were not successful this session but will be seen again on future legislative agendas.

Speaker: Paul Sugg

Transportation and Toll Road Issues

Governor's Ballroom|Sixth Floor

Toll roads and transportation master planning continue to be a dividing and decisive issue facing county governments.  Much attention has been given to these issues during the 80th Legislative Session and the outcome of legislative action will be the major focus of this panel discussion.

Speakers: Mike Heiligenstein, Steve Simmons

Fiesta in the Exhibit Hall

Follow the Mariachis to the 6th floor Trade Show floor to sip margaritas and visit with our vendors.

Opening Reception: Casino Party and Dance

The gambling is FREE and the dancing is hot! Enjoy the sounds of western swing with Jody Nix and the Texas Cowboys - always a favorite!

Registration Desk Open - 6th floor foyer

Sixth Floor | Lobby Area

Information Desk Open - 1st floor lobby

First Floor | Lobby Area

Trade Show / Exhibit Hall Open - Room 410

Sixth Floor

Make a Connection:

Bank of America Breakfast in the Foyer

Sixth Floor

County & District Clerks

Salon A&B

County Judges and Commissioners

Salon C

County Treasurers

Room 406

County Auditors

Room 408

Sheriffs and County Attorneys

Room 410

County Tax Assessor Collectors

Room 412

Justices of the Peace and Constables

Room 404

Refreshment Break in Exhibit Hall

Grand Ballroom - 6th floor

"The Press, the Legislature, and Counties - How to tell the media what they're doing to you in Austin"

Room 400-402

Hear what Capitol News Media chiefs have to say about the 80th session and the issues affecting counties - from the battles on revenue caps to the legislative fix for the Attorney General's opinion on redaction.  Learn the do's and don'ts of telling the county's side of these stories to the media and the public when it's not just a simple sound bite.

Speakers: Christi Hoppe, Clay Robison, And Jason Embry

Texas Style Legal Update

Room 406

Come to this session and learn about new Attorney General opinions and how they may affect your office.  Also hear the most recent horror stories that places county officials in the headlines and get an update on liability and employment law.

Speaker: Denise Pierce

Spouse Activities - Pamper Yourself

Sign up for a day of fun at the registration table - 6th floor foyer.

President's Luncheon (by invitation only)

Room 404

Legislative Election Issues including "Son of HAVA"

Salon A&B

Elections and the "Help America Vote Act" continue to be controversial topics on the local, state, and national level.  This session examines current election issues facing Texas Counties and provide expert opinions on the probable consequences of HAVA II, as it is currently being addressed in this session of Congress.

Speakers: Joy Streater, Alysoun McLaughlin

Homeland Security: The State's Priorities for Guidelines & Funding

Salon C

New Legislation brings changes and more funding for many homeland security issues.  How much money is available and how will it be allocated?  Four highly qualified presenters explain the new guidelines, how your county can access funds and how to be involved locally in homeland security.

Speakers: Sen. Kirk Watson, Rep. Frank Corte, Steve McCraw

Juvenile Probation and TYC Reform

Room 406

The 80th Legislature was shaken by disclosures of abuse in the TYC and the need for immediate changes within the juvenile justice system.  Today's speakers will describe how reforms at the TYC impact local juvenile probation departments, courts, sentencing options, law enforcement, county budgets and community alternatives to incarceration for repeat juvenile offenders.

Speakers: Vicky Spriggs, Isela Gutierrez

Technology, Internet, Email and the Law

Room 408

The internet has revolutionized communications around the world. and its impact on county govt. has been significant.  The law related to the Internet has rapidly changed with the times and this presentation deals with legal issues concerning email, internet privacy, electronic record keeping and other related topics.

Speaker: Peter Vogel

Retirement and Asset Allocation Workshop

Room 410

It's never too early to plan for retirement.  This session highlights and legislative changes in the Texas County Retirement System and discusses the Nationwide deferred compensation retirement plans.

Speakers: Howard Miller, Fred Jackson

Ice Cream Break in the Exhibit Hall

Grand Ballroom  - 6th floor

Sponsored by Holt Cat

Redaction Issues after HB 2061

Salon A&B

The Legislature and State Leaders moved quickly to resolve the crisis that resulted from an AGA opinion issued early this year, requiring the redaction of certain information from public records before their release.  But Privacy issues and protecting the public's personal information  are still concerns.  This session looks at the current status following the adoption of HB 2061 and discusses actions that may be needed in the future.

Speakers: Dr. Dianne Wilson, Zindia Thomas

The Future of County Investment Practices

Room 406

Current investment practices and the changes that may or should, be made to public investment policy and practices in Texas is today's topic.  This session looks at the investment horizon , and how it will impact public investing in Texas.

Speakers: Lesley French, Steven Albert, Edward Dion, Cindy Brown

Mental Health Crisis Services Redesign

Salon C

The Legislative Appropriations Conference Committee labored over and finally approved $82 million for the redesign of mental health crisis service delivery and how the new money will impact community resources.

Speakers: Joe Lovelace, Dr. Jim Van Norman

Grants: Effective Ways to get More

Room 410

Grants exist for just about every type of project imaginable, but is your county benefiting from the billions of dollars available though federal, state, local, and private sources? Begin your quest for grants by learning effective ways to get more.  This session reveals current trends and focuses on the building blocks to improving your grant performance through key grant research resources and best practices for developing quality proposals.

Speakers: Leticia A. Jones

Think Your Computer is Safe?  We Can Break In!

Room 408

Do you think your data is safely locked away in your office file cabinet?  Your network guru says your firewall is impenetrable?  Think again, as Dave and Morgan show you how the hacker community has combined century-old practices with state-of-the-art technology to compromise your data.  Is your county data really secure?

Speakers: Dave Keene, Morgan Holkesvik

Retiree Health Insurance Issues and GASB 45

Salon C

Join us in this unique opportunity to hear the Texas State comptroller and the Travis County Auditor give their perspectives and insight on legislation regarding accounting for post-employment benefits

Speakers: Susan Combs, Susan Spataro

The Whitmire and Madden Plan: An Overview of Criminal Justice Initiatives

Salon A&B

The Senate Criminal Justice And House Corrections committee worked together on several important pieces of legislation and funding initiatives which are targeted at reducing hail and prison overcrowding.  Our tenured and expert criminal justice presenters review the "Whitmire/Madden Plan" and the research that contributed to the support of the enabling funding in the Appropriations Act. Probation reform and caseload reduction, jail and prison diversion, new prison construction, mental health and substance abuse initiatives for adults and juveniles will be among the topics addressed.

Speakers: Hon. John Whitmire, Dr. Tony Fableo

The Do's and Don'ts in Preparation for the Primary Elections and the Texas Election Administration Management (TEAM) System

Room  410

A review the administration rules adopted by the Secretary of State governing the use of primary funds, with particular emphasis on the county clerk's duties in preparation for the primary election and reimbursement  of county expenditures. and an update on the TEAM system from a representative of the Secretary of State's Elections Division

Speakers: Karen McQueen, Shelia Latting

Emphasis on Leadership: I Am A.J. Foyt -  Why We Make Things Harder than They Should Be

Room 406

In the History of Auto racing, the name A.J. Foyt has become synonymous with the best.  He is the only driver in history to win these crown jewels of motor sports: the Indy 500, the Daytona 500 and the 24 hours of Le Mans.  That said at one extreme, why do we seem to be losing our ability to perform daily fundamental life tasks like making change, interpersonal communication and relationship skills, personal manners and of course driving, and better than we do?  This presentation is designed to enlighten and reconnect participants to the value of some of our most important daily activities taken for granted long ago.  We'll test your existing knowledge and skill, and challenge the way you've always done things and reveal if there's room for improvement.

Speaker: Mark Warren

Lessons from the field: Best Practices Explained

Room 408

*Library Collections Program: Harris County

*Differentiated Felony Case Management: Tarrant County

*Sheriff's Law Enforcement Academy: Denton County

*Total Compensation Statements: Gregg County

*Pay for the Performance: Collin County

NACo Leadership Caucus Meeting

Room 404

Members of the NACo Leadership Caucus, all members of the National Assoc. of Counties and others interested in NACo membership are invited to an informal gathering to discuss current initiatives

Hosted by: Larry Naake

2007 Best Practices Awards Reception and Ceremonies

Room 400-402

Join the leaders of the Texas Association of Counties Leadership Foundation in honoring this year's award winners (cocktail or business attire suggested)

6:30pm - Reception: room 402

7:00pm - Awards: room 400

Registration Desk Open - 6th floor foyer

Sixth Floor | Lobby Area

Information Desk Open - 1st floor lobby

First Floor | Lobby Area

Breakfast with NACo

Salon C

Enjoy the classical guitar sounds of Mr. Ryan Voldstad, 1st place winner in the 2007 Eastfield College Guitar Competition

Closing General Session

Salon C

Federal Issues and Their Impact on Texas Counties

Salon C

The Executive Director of NACo brings us up to date on county issues at the federal level.  NACo is the nationwide voice for counties in the same way TAC is on the state level.  They carry our message to Congress to help them understand the unique needs of county government.  NACo works for you.

Speaker: Larry Naake

Stretch Break

Quick, Easy Recipe for Losing Your Credibility or Your Job

Salon C

You've been elected or appointed to office.  Congratulations! Does that mean you're out of the heat in the kitchen?  Hardly.  Being a county elected or appointed official in Texas means you live your professional life in a pressure cooker, sometimes with the uncomfortable glow of the camera lights to emphasize your every decision and mistake.  Some mistakes are like overcooking - minor, natural and easily forgiven by the voters and powers-that-be of your county.  But others can cause you great embarrassment, or even cost your job.  Mr. Brumley describes the types of conduct (and misconduct) that can result in removal from office under Texas law, the process by which removal works and some of the other ethics-related trouble that the law can cause for you as an elected or appointed official.

Speaker: Scott Brumley

Closing Keynote Address: Mr. Bryan Dodge

Salon C

As it began, this conference closes with high energy and inspiration.  Bryan Dodge brings a powerful message of self improvement and personal growth with a focus on three key areas: how to have your best year ever, how to create consistent upward growth in your life and how to focus on the things that really matter in life.

Speaker: Bryan Dodge